Defensive Injury Crisis For Cardiff

Cardiff City manager Dave Jones has a major worry ahead of tomorrow's game after some key players picked up injuries - unfortunately all in the same position!

First we had Kevin McNaughton sidelined after the Hull City game - he is now returning but not yet ready for match action.

Now, his stand-in Darcy Blake is ruled out for three weeks with a groin injury. Add to that a back problem picked up by left-back Tony Capaldi and we have no full-backs left!

Joe Ledley can be played at left back but he missed Wales' win midweek after aggrevating his groin injury.

Within the youngsters, Matt Smith and Adam Matthews are possibilities at left-back but neither has any league experience and both are very young.

That leads us to look at other options for right-back from within the current squad. That means that either Riccy Scimeca or Trevor Sinclair could cover as an emergency right back.

Of course, the other alternative is to switch to a 3 centre-back system with Darren Purse coming in. Whittingham, Sinclair, Ledley (if fit) and Aaron Ramsey could all do an effective job as wing-backs (Rae, McPhail, Rasmey/Scimeca in the centre) but can anyone see Dave Jones going for that - I can't.